How to hire a public relations writer

How to hire a public relations writer, step by step

Here's a step-by-step public relations writer hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a public relations writer job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new public relations writer
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The public relations writer hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A public relations writer's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, public relations writers from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   This list shows salaries for various types of public relations writers.

   Type of Public Relations Writer	Description	Hourly rate
   Public Relations Writer	Public relations specialists create and maintain a favorable public image for the organization they represent. They design media releases to shape public perception of their organization and to increase awareness of its work and goals.	$20-36
   Account Coordinator	An account coordinator assists account executives by providing day-to-day administrative support such as preparing and filing sales contracts and reports. As coordinators, they must maintain a good relationship with their clients and vendors by addressing issues and with regular communication... Show more	$13-25
   Social Media Internship	In a social media internship, the primary role is to take part in managing a brand's social media platforms for public relations. One of their primary duties is to craft informative and captivating content while under the supervision and guidelines of a manager or supervisor... Show more	$11-18

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Web Content
   • Internal Newsletter
   • Feature Stories
   • Blog Posts
   • Copywriting
   • Alumni
   • Proofread
   • SEO
   • Facebook
   • Writing Press Releases
   • Twitter
   • Biographies
   • Fact Sheets
   • Pitch Letters

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage SEO web developer and occasional writers to fulfill objectives across various projects assign by company owner.
   • Develop and write content for corporate Facebook pages.
   • Host Facebook contests to attract more public attention.
   • Work closely with developers to integrate UI standards into the application and to build intuitive navigation and functionality.
   • Monitor customer retention and measure campaign effectiveness (ROI )

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your public relations writer job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A public relations writer salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, public relations writers' average salary in mississippi is 46% less than in new jersey.
   • Seniority. Entry-level public relations writers earn 44% less than senior-level public relations writers.
   • Certifications. A public relations writer with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a public relations writer's salary.

   Average public relations writer salary

   $56,528yearly

   $27.18 hourly rate

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   Entry-level public relations writer salary

   $42,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 13, 2026

4. Writing a public relations writer job description

   A good public relations writer job description should include a few things:

   • Summary of the role
   • List of responsibilities
   • Required skills and experience

   Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of a public relations writer job description:

   Public relations writer job description example

   Time Type: Full time
   Minimum Clearance Required to Start: Secret
   
   Employee Type: Regular
   
   Percentage of Travel Required: Up to 10%
   
   Type of Travel: Local
   
   ******* Relocation Assistance is Provided *******
   
   CACI is seeking a cleared Public Relations/Technical Writer to support the CryptoMod Branch at the C5ISR Center which is located in Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD.
   
   What You'll Get to Do:
   
   + Technical Writer interprets engineering data and translates it into expository writing aimed towards a specific customer, audience, or persons whose interest is not only scientific, but can be financial and business related. Because of the variety of documents produced (e.g., proposals, periodic reports, plans, bulletins, award nominations, weekly activity write ups, brochures, business materials, and technical data packages) the TW works closely with the Engineering Group Lead and/or other engineers for proper and accurate development of a Technical Document (TD).
   
   + Prepare award nominations to highlight the work/accomplishments of individuals or teams for review by upper management as well as weekly activity reports that will highlight the accomplishments of tasks being performed within our Branch. All documents that leave the Branch must be read for content before submitting them for signature.
   
   More About the Role:
   
   **_Technical Writing_**
   
   The task of technical writing requires research, interviewing, writing original content, and, in some cases, a working knowledge of the subject. The TW utilizes layout, illustration, word processing, and network applications to achieve effective documents.
   
   **_Technical Editing_**
   
   The technical editing process is an in depth editorial effort, which requires reviewing a document for all of the following:
   
   • Technical Content - verifies TD for technical accuracy and renders information into words that the intended or targeted audience will understand. Rewrites text as necessary to condense, consolidate, and clarify verbiage.
   
   • Language Style - reviews the quality of language in a document, checking fluency, parallelism, and level of writing.
   
   • Substance - checks for rational paragraphing, format, content coherence, and comprehensiveness of tables and figures to eliminate contradictions and inconsistencies.
   
   **_Format Editing_**
   
   Format editing requires reviewing a document for all of the following:
   
   • Conformance - ensures adherence to applicable specifications or style/format guidelines (e.g., cited Government procuring agency style guide, standard, or specification). Normally, higher quality documents are required to conform to DoD and/or Best Commercial Standards. Ensures that all classification markings in the TD are present and correct per DoD standards.
   
   • Integrity - ensures proper agreement among all parts of the document. Thus, all tables and figures that are referenced in text are verified to exist, follow in proper order, and have unique and meaningful titles. A consistent numbering system (where applicable) is used for all pages, paragraphs, tables, and illustrations. TW ensures that all internal references are correct.
   
   • Layout - ensures that all pages are of uniform dimension and margins. Ensures that text, tables, and illustrations are legible and presented in a logical format that enhances understanding and comprehension.
   
   **_Proofreading_**
   
   The TW assigned to process a TD is responsible for the proofreading of all text, tabular, and illustration pages, reading for content, checking for errors, and making the necessary corrections.
   
   **_Quality Control and Preprint Check_**
   
   This is a final check of the TD. This check of the release copy ensures all text, tabular, and illustration pages are complete and suitable for customer. Further, the TW performs a Final review to verify that all comments against the document have been resolved and that they have been properly incorporated.
   
   You'll Bring These Qualifications:
   
   + An active DoD Secret clearance.
   
   + As a minimum, the PR/TW should have +5 years of experience with tech manuals, test reports, related business writing, writing award nominations to highlight the work/accomplishments of individuals or teams for review by upper management and be proficient in the following applications:
   
   + MS Word PowerPoint Visio Adobe Professional™ SharePoint
   
   These Qualifications Would be Nice to Have:
   
   + Ability to work in intense team environment.
   
   + Must be assertive yet diplomatic when working with managers, group leads, and engineers.
   
   + Capable of rendering in-depth technical materials into a readable understanding.
   
   + Must be able and willing to assist engineers through re-writes.
   
   What We Can Offer You:
   
   - We've been named a Best Place to Work by the Washington Post.
   
   - Our employees value the flexibility at CACI that allows them to balance quality work and their personal lives.
   
   - We offer competitive benefits and learning and development opportunities.
   
   - We are mission-oriented and ever vigilant in aligning our solutions with the nation's highest priorities.
   
   - For over 60 years, the principles of CACI's unique, character-based culture have been the driving force behind our success.
   
   Company Overview: At CACI, you will have the opportunity to make an immediate impact by providing information solutions and services in support of national security missions and government transformation for Intelligence, Defense, and Federal Civilian customers. CACI is an Equal Opportunity Employer - Females/Minorities/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities.
   
   Pay Range: The proposed salary range for this position is $53,500-$109,600. There are a host of factors that can influence final salary including, but not limited to, Federal Government contract labor categories and contract wage rates, relevant prior work experience, specific skills and competencies, geographic location, education, and certifications. Our employees value the flexibility at CACI that allows them to balance quality work and their personal lives. We offer competitive compensation, benefits and learning and development opportunities. Our broad and competitive mix of benefits options is designed to support and protect employees and their families. Employment benefits include health and wellness programs, income protection, paid leave and retirement and savings.
   
   As a federal contractor, CACI is subject to any federal vaccine mandates or other customer vaccination requirements. All new hires are required to report their vaccination status.

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5. Post your job

   To find public relations writers for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any public relations writers they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level public relations writers with the right educational background.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your public relations writer job on Zippia to find and recruit public relations writer candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites such as pr news job board, pr council, prsa job center, hoojobs.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit public relations writers, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new public relations writer

   Once you've decided on a perfect public relations writer candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

   You should also follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that you've filled the position.

   To prepare for the new public relations writer first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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